Notes from the Stow Council on Aging

Thursday

Seniors are reminded to sign in for each thing they do at the COA by using their blue key tag and the computer touch screen at the reception desk. The COA has blue key tags.

Trips/events

Sign up in person for events costing $5 or more. OK to sign up by phone for events less than $5. Stow seniors have priority. Out-of-towners will be put on a waiting list and called if space allows. Make checks payable to SFCOA. Note: The COA will now meet at Pompo Community Center; park in the row closest to Route 117.

Meals/events

If you are going on a day trip, you must bring cash (small bills) to pay for lunch. Many restaurants will not give separate checks.

Weekly grocery shopping

Mondays: Shaw’s, 10 a.m. (sign up by noon Friday); Monday, May 28 (holiday), has been moved to Tuesday, May 29. Fridays: Shop and Lunch. 11 a.m. (sign up by noon Thursday).

May 11 to Wegman’s/Northboro. May 18 to Market Basket/Lunch, Hudson. May 25 to Walmart/Hudson/Rest; by vote.

Errands, runs, etc.: If you want to go to a local store (within our transportation service area, you may call the COA by noon the day before you want to go.

Consumer Rights Talk: 1 p.m. May 17. Free. Sign up by May 14. Limit 20 participants. The Community Engagement Division staff from the Office of the Attorney General Maura Healey will be conducting a training on Consumer Rights. This training gives consumers an outline of and tips regarding retail rights, and how to avoid various mail, phone, and online scams. At the end of the Consumer Rights Talk, training guides and resource materials will be provided. Note: not the same as the April talk.

Diner of the Month — Blue Moon, Gardner: 10:30 a.m. May 23. $4 for van. Cash for lunch. Sign up by May 16. Limit 20 participants. Set in a renovated train car, serves classic breakfasts and lunches.

Crime & Punishment: 1 p.m. May 24. Free. Sign up by May 22. Join the friendly circle of crime buffs. Anyone may introduce a topic for discussion. The talk also touches upon current events. New participants always welcome.

Lunch Bunch — Marguerita’s, Waltham: 11 a.m. May 30. $4 for van. Cash for lunch. Sign up by May 24. Limit 20 participants. In May, the Lunch Bunch celebrates Cinco de Mayo at this relaxing family restaurant with real quality Mexican food and drinks.

Red Sox: 1 p.m. May 30. Free. Sign up by May 25. Limit 20 participants. The Sox take on the Blue Jays. The COA provides the hot dogs, root beer, peanuts and cracker jacks. Join in the fun on the COA’s large projection screen.

Lunch and a Movie — ‘The Post’: noon May 31. $2 for lunch. Sign up by May 24. Limit 20 participants. 2017 drama about the Washington Post’s role in exposing the Pentagon Papers in 1971, a government cover-up, and taking a stand on free speech. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks star. Lunch will be the meal site meal. On the menu is roast turkey, stuffing and salad. Movie will start at 12:45 p.m.

Looking ahead: Strawberry Festival in June; Home Care Talk, June 20; Legal Talk, June 21; Annisquam River Cruise, July 18.

Senior Fitness: Instructor Terri Zaborowski, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. $3. Move to the music with this safe and heart-healthy class which uses low-impact movements to energize your active lifestyle. Build muscle strength and flexibility with upper and lower body exercises using hand held weights in both standing and seated positions. Finish with a 5- to 10-minute full body stretch and relaxation segment. Please bring a set of weights and a water bottle to class.

Stretch and Flex: Instructor Terri Zaborowski, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1:30 p.m. $3. This class is designed to help seniors maintain their strength, flexibility and independence with both standing and seated exercises using resistance bands.

The Bee: The first and third Wednesday, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Free. For hand spinning, quilting, knitting and textile related work. Quilters, knitters, felters, workers in any quiet fiber craft.

Quilting Class: The second and fourth Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon.

Watercolor Classes: Every Friday, 1-3:30 p.m.

Transportation services

The COA provides van service to Stow residents 60+ and those with disabilities. Important policy reminders are highlighted below:

• Scheduling a Van Ride: All van reservations must be made by calling the COA between 8 a.m. and noon at least 24 hours in advance and speaking with the Transportation Coordinator (do not leave a voice mail message).

• Van pickups start at 8:30 a.m., with the last pickup to return home no later than 2:30 p.m.

• The service area (originating from Stow) is: Acton, Bolton, Boxborough, Harvard, Hudson, Maynard and Sudbury. Service is also provided to medical destinations in Marlborough and Concord. Have the destination with the phone number when you book rides.

• Be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled van pickup.

• Van service is pickup and drop off only.

• Van drivers must follow their assigned schedule and are not allowed to make last-minute changes to the schedule in order to accommodate the rider’s request unless authorized.

• The COA can’t provide individual shopping trips if scheduled on the same day/time as the group shopping trip.

• Meal site, Food Pantry, COA Office: Free.

• Stow only: $2. Out-of-Town Rides: $3 one-way and/or round trip.

• Volunteers may be available for medical appointments outside service area or business hours.

Stow Food Pantry

The Stow Food Pantry offers food and hygiene items to clients/families needing assistance. The pantry offers short-term and long-term assistance. The Stow Food Pantry requires no referrals and no financial information. Call 978-897-4230 and make an appointment to attend one of the three monthly pantries. The Stow Food Pantry is open the first and third Fridays of the month from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and on the third Thursday evening of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Community Services Coordinator

The Community Services Coordinator is available to provide information and make referrals to various programs and agencies. Areas of assistance include financial supports, housing options, legal assistance, disability services, mental health services, children and family resources, and caregiver resources. For more information contact Lauren Abraham, LICSW at the Community Center. Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Phone: 978-897-2638. Email: townsocialworker@stow-ma.gov.

Outreach services

Information and Referrals on Home Care Options, Advocacy, Home Visits, Are You OK? (daily well-being checks), Fuel Assistance, SNAP (Food Stamps), Friendly Visitors, Volunteer Drivers, Support Groups and more. Call Sharon or Suzanne any time. The COA can visit right away. You may refer someone else who might need services. If you suspect elder abuse or neglect (no proof needed) make a confidential call immediately.

If you need computer/printer help — buying/getting one for free, set-up, tutoring, file transfer etc. — call COA. The COA will arrange an appointment with a computer expert to visit you.

Free food

Stop and Shop (Wayland and Acton), Shaws (Hudson) are donating food Monday through Friday. Stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see what’s available. Donations appreciated.

Town nurse

Tamara Bedard, RN from Nashoba Associated Services, is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at 978-772-3335, ext. 340.

SHINE

Serving Health Insurance Needs of Everyone

Do you have questions about your Health Insurance or Prescription Drug coverage? Call the COA to schedule a private one-hour consultation with Jackie Engelhart-Perry, SHINE Counselor. She is available every Monday morning at the COA. For immediate assistance, call Minuteman Senior Services, SHINE Department, at 781-221-7029.

Durable medical equipment needed

The COA needs transport chairs, rollators (walkers with a seat) and commodes. Dropping off equipment? Call first and deliver to right side of the building, drive around back of building to the last door on the left (sign on door) to be put in our storage room.